Container with hidden panel

Abstract

An assembled container incorporates a customizable surface. The assembled container can be of any type, shape, size, and/or material. The surface can be any surface that may be subjected to further processing following the assembly of the container, i.e., a post-container-assembly process. The surface may be partially or completely detachable from the container, or otherwise isolated from the container, such that the container is not damaged by any post-container-assembly process performed on the surface.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a base portion, and a sidewall extending from the periphery of the base portion to define an open storage compartment;   a top portion pivotally fastened to the sidewall and movable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing the open storage compartment; and   a customizable panel constructed from a printable material and being hingedly coupled about a hinge to the top portion, the customizable panel being movable relative the top portion between a closed position wherein the customizable panel is proximate the top portion, and an opened position wherein the customizable panel extends from the top portion and is isolated from the base portion and the top portion for any post-container-assembly process performed on an outer surface of the customizable container.   
     
     
         2 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the customizable panel is coupled to the periphery of the top portion. 
     
     
         3 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the customizable panel extends from the top portion at least perpendicularly when the customizable panel is in the opened position. 
     
     
         4 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the customizable panel is a printable fabric. 
     
     
         5 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container is a lunchbox. 
     
     
         6 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the base portion and the top portion are insulated. 
     
     
         7 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a closure mechanism to releasably maintain the customizable panel in the closed portion relative to the top portion. 
     
     
         8 . A container as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the closure mechanism is a zipper extending at least partially about the periphery of the top portion. 
     
     
         9 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base portion, the top portion, and the customizable panel are constructed of a soft-sided material. 
     
     
         10 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the customizable panel is integrally formed with the top portion. 
     
     
         11 . A container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the customizable panel is removable from the hinge. 
     
     
         12 . A method of customizing an assembled container comprising:
 receiving a container including a base portion, a sidewall extending from the periphery of the base portion to define an open storage compartment, a top portion pivotally fastened to the sidewall and movable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing the open storage compartment, and a customizable panel constructed from a printable material and being hingedly coupled about a hinge to the top portion;   releasable detaching at least a portion of the customizable panel from the top portion;   moving the customizable panel to an opened position about the hinge such that the customizable panel extends from the top portion; and   modifying the customizable panel.   
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein modifying the customizable panel comprises transferring a graphic onto the customizable panel. 
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the graphic is at least one of an image, a photograph, or a pattern.